The invitation is typical Apple-esque, with...a single line of text: "We've got a little more to show you," [which] most assume refers to the iPad Mini...with a 7.85-in. screen. ...talk of a smaller tablet has circulated almost since the 2010 launch of the 9.7-in. model. ... [It] flies in the face of earlier statements from...former CEO Steve Jobs.

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If Apple hews to its usual timeline...it will begin taking pre-orders...Oct. 23 [to] Oct. 25 [and] begin selling the tablet at retail on Nov. 2. MORE

Anna Leach leaks the prices:

...a German site...Mobilegeeks.de is showing...an inventory spreadsheet from the German gadget store Media Markt. ... The cheapest iPad Mini, an 8GB Wi-Fi-only device, is listed at €249. ... The most expensive model, a 64GB cellular device, is listed at €649.

Apple will attempt to exploit the active nature of its users. ... The device...introduction will see Apple focus on iBooks. ... Apple executive Eddy Cue said in email released [at] trial that he: "Found email, books, Facebook and video very compelling" on a 7-inch Samsung.

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[Media Markt] suggests you’ll be able to pick up an iPad mini at prices from $249...a nightmare for competitors. MORE

And Adrian O'Connor considers the marketing stratification:

$249 for 8GB...$349 for 16GB...sounds plausible. ...they use the cheap 'base' model to get people interested [but] let the customer talk themselves in to buying the next model up. MORE

Richi Jennings — Your humble blogwatcher is an independent analyst/consultant, specializing in blogging, email, spam, and other security topics. He was voted 'Most likely to get up first to sing at karaoke' for 14 years in succession.